NEWS & FEATURES

BUSH BLINDFOLDS THE PUBLIC: Thanks to new federal rules, old-fashioned stonewalling, and plenty of TOP SECRET stamps, the Bush administration is having unparalleled success in deflecting the public's prying eyes. Dan Kennedy reports.

HOW GOP BILLIONAIRES BANKROLL THE BUSHIES: They may have come late to the 527 party, but David Bernstein finds that wealthy Republican donors are making up for lost time by showering their candidate with strings-free millions as Election Day nears.

TALKING POLITICS - WAR STORIES: Legendary journalist Seymour Hersh talks with the Adam Reilly about how the Bush administration's war on terror led to Abu Ghraib, chaos in Iraq, and America's isolation.

FREEDOM WATCH - SEND OUT THE CLOWNS: Harvey Silverglate on how UMass Amherst's attempts to quash a political parody on campus underscore the university's screwball sense of bureaucratic order at all cost.

GHOST WRITERS: After a mid-'80s explosion and subsequent drought in the '90s, horror, Camille Dodero discovers, is back

In "Savage Love," Dan Savage on love and sex.

In "Out There," Alan Olifson on loving his smoke-free life but still waiting to inhale.

In "Urban Buy," Nina Schwartz on blazer-ing a trail.

In the Phoenix editorial, We endorse John Kerry as a worthy choice to succeed the dangerous, secretive Bush. Plus, the Phoenix's choices in legislative races.

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Plus, this just in:

MUSIC

With Around the Sun, R.E.M. have regained their footing as the enigmatic yet accessible pop band who crossed over from indie-rockdom to become major-label stars. Michael Stipe talks to Matt Ashare about the band's journey.

Although the Faces, with Rod Stewart, didn't take themselves terribly seriously as a band, their devotion to, and affection for, the music they made was anything but frivolous. Jonathan Perry listens to their box set.

Carly Carioli listens as hip hop takes rap-metal in the right direction.

Lloyd Schwartz is there as James Levine begins his tenure at the BSO; plus Boston Baroque's Giulio Cesare and Maurizio Pollini.

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Steve Vineberg watches the Lyric Stage Company pins Ears on a Beatle.

Carolyn Clay sees a whole lotta Henry (Shakespeare's, that is) when Trinity Rep unleashes The Henraid.

Carolyn Clay applauds Elaine Stritch as a legend at liberty.

DANCE

Marcia B. Seigel's take on Boston Ballet and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

SEX AND SUGGESTIVENESS: Jeffrey Gantz spends more days and nights at Boston Ballet.

BOOKS

Dana Kletter reads Margot Livesey's Banishing Verona.

TELEVISION

HOTDOTS: TUESDAY 2 7:00 (2, 4, 5, 7) Election Coverage. Who will it be? Another four years of death and destruction at the hands of oil-grubbing capitalists. Or not? More wars against people who aren't our enemies? Fewer allies? Fewer jobs? Or not? By Clif Garboden

FOOD

SPECIALS